02 November 2013

UGANDA : ANBL Playoffs: City Oilers blow out Titans to take first stride

Photo Credits: Basketball256

KIU Titans 56-76 City Oilers (Oilers lead series 1-0)
A1 Challenge 54-46 KIU Rangers (A1 lead series 1-0)
KIU Titans have a swarming defense. They try to overwhelm you with a jump at almost every execution, fluster the ball handler to force turnovers or lead into sloppy passing and rushed shots. As a matter of fact it is rare to see defense cost KIU Titans games (but offense does and quite often).
The most defensive team in the league were beaten at their game by City Oilers in game 1 of the Castle Lite Playoffs on Friday night at the MTN Arena. Titans were done in the early by their failure to defend the inside as City Oilers ran away to a 76-56 blowout victory.
Forward, Arou Ramadhan scored game high 21 points to lead the way for City Oilers. Jimmy Enabu added 19 points and Kami Kabange chipped in with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Point guard, Yusuf Mohamed contributed 9 points and dropped 9 dimes.
“We didn’t defend at all. Arou was having a blast and Jimmy driving at will. Those guys didn’t work for the points we made it so easy for them” KIU’s coach Nimrod Kaboha said.
Julius Lutwama led KIU with 18 points off the bench and Francis Kasekende added 13 points. Bol Kol added 8 points and picked 9 rebounds.
City Oilers solid zone defense suffocated KIU’s bigs and held them to 4-of-25 shooting. It was easy to see how the absence of Edwin Katerega affected KIU on both ends of the floor. Joshua Etalu who steeped in for him went 1-for-7 from the field and picked 4 rebounds.
In the women’s division, A1 Challenge held off KIU Rangers’ come back for a 54-46 win to take the series lead.
Point guard, Sylvia Nakazibwe led the way for A1 with game high 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Vickie Ntale added 11 points. Mariam Birungi picked 11 rebounds to go with 5 points and 5 helpers.
“It was a good job by the ladies. To get the first win gives them confidence going into the second game. We will come back focused, work again – and hopefully advance to the semis” A1’s coach Geoffrey Omondi said.
Susan Amito led KIU with 12 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Judith Nansobya added 12 points